Terrorism and Migration in Turkey Between 1992 and 1995 (From Understanding Terrorism: Analysis of Sociological and Psychological Aspects, P 144-160, 2007, Suleyman Ozeren, Ismail Dincer Gunes, et al., eds. -- See NCJ-225410)

• NCJ Number: 225423
• Author(s): Yilmaz Simsek
• Date Published: 2007
• Length: 17 pages
• Sale Source: IOS Press
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Netherlands

Annotation

Based on a literature review and the analysis of secondary data analyzed within a quasi experimental design, this study examined whether there was a relationship between terrorism and net-migration in Turkey, as well as the influence that terrorism-related incidents had on the movement of people from cities plagued by terrorist attacks to safer Provinces in Turkey.

Abstract

The study found that terrorism had a strong influence on people’s decisions to leave an area infested with terrorist attacks. Although economic depression was the most powerful factor in nationwide migration in Turkey, fear and insecurity were more powerful reasons for migrating out of eastern and southeastern (high terrorism incidence) Turkish Provinces. Unemployment was also a significant reason for migration out of Provinces with a high incidence of terrorist attacks. These findings suggest that an environment of violent conflict causes people to migrate to safer areas. Also, violent conflict may contribute to localized economic deprivation, which is another reason for leaving an area. The literature review focused on migration related to conflict, chaos, and violence. Although the review found only a few studies that examined level of violence as an indicator for “out-migration,” a number of studies found that migration resulted from the existence of conditions adverse to the safety and prosperity of individuals and families. Under the study’s quasi experimental design, the net-migration rate was the dependent variable. The time frame for the analysis was 1992-1995, and the unit of analysis was the Provinces of Turkey, with a focus on Provinces with a high number of terrorism incidents, which were located in the east and southeast regions of the country. Independent variables were the number of terrorism-related incidents and casualties, the density of the population, gross domestic product per person, the unemployment rate, and average distance to industrialized Provinces of Turkey. 1 figure, 7 tables, and 42 references